Reply #12: Craig Will Remain In Senate Until Judge Rules

[SecularMotion]

Source: NY Times

EDINA, Minn., Sept. 26 — Senator Larry E. Craig of Idaho on Wednesday backed away from his earlier decision to resign on Sept. 30 and said he would await a judge’s ruling on a motion to reverse his guilty plea in an undercover sex sting. Mr. Craig, a Republican, made the announcement after a court hearing on the motion.

The senator, who had said he would step down on Sept. 30 if he was unable to clear his record, said in a statement that he would stay in the Senate while Judge Charles A. Porter Jr. weighed arguments made Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court.

“Today was a major step in the legal effort to clear my name,” Mr. Craig said in a statement after Judge Porter indicated he might not rule until late next week. “The court has not issued a ruling on my motion to withdraw my guilty plea. For now, I will continue my work in the United States Senate for Idaho.”

His announcement was a disappointment to Senate Republican leaders who had hoped Mr. Craig would surrender his seat in the aftermath of a case they consider an embarrassment. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, would not discuss the case but said he stood by his earlier statement in which he said that Mr. Craig had made a difficult but correct decision in saying he would leave the Senate.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/washington/27craig.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1190902459-hbB9KZxld1eyLkd+kIMhUw